T. D. R. Peiris, a former National Champion and the 2023 winner of the Sri Lanka National Senior Chess Championship, successfully defended his title at the Sri Lanka National Senior Chess Championship 2024.
The championship took place from August 23 to 25, 2024, at the Sports Medicine Auditorium and was organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka. A total prize fund of Rs. 115,000 was allocated for the winners, along with trophies, medals, and certificates. The event featured 25 participants and followed a five-round Swiss format, with a time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move. AFM Chandra Sudarman S. Pitigala was the top-seeded player in the tournament.
T. D. R. Peiris clinched the championship by scoring 4.5/5 points, drawing only one game in the final round against AFM Chandra Sudarman S. Pitigala. Three players finished tied for the first runner-up position with 4/5 points. However, based on superior tie-breaks, AFM Chandra Sudarman S. Pitigala and Ruwan Nandika secured the first and second runners-up positions, respectively. J. I. Ajantha De Silva took fourth place.
Congratulations to T. D. R. Peiris for his outstanding performance and to all participants and winners for their remarkable displays of skill and sportsmanship. The Sri Lanka National Senior Chess Championship 2024 was a testament to the enduring talent and passion for chess in Sri Lanka.
Photograph – Priyankara Sandayanayake